PENNIES FOUNDATION - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- CEO - Marketplace, Vinted
Adam Jay is the Chief Executive Officer, Marketplace at Vinted, an online marketplace for buying, selling and exchanging new or secondhand items, mainly clothing and accessories. Adam's previous roles include President & Co-Lead Marketing, across Expedia Group's portfolio of global travel brands as well as President of Hotels.com (also Expedia Group), a brand which he joined in February 2012. From 2007 until 2012, he served as VP of Strategy and Global Transformation at Travelport plc, a Blackstone owned travel software provider. Prior to that, he led Product for Avis Europe plc (now Avis Budget Group) and spent a number of years at Boston Consulting Group. Jay serves on the board of Checkatrade.com, a UK-based subsidiary of Homeserve plc. He is also a Non-Executive Director for Despegar, LATAM's largest travel intermediary listed on NASDAQ. He has an MBA from INSEAD and studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University.
Job Titles:
- Senior IT Analyst / Developer
Adam's background is in software development and computer science. He is responsible for coding improvements to help monitor Pennies' income streams, as well as the day-to-day processing of donations and adding automation to Pennies' systems. His interests include all things tech, science and the much promised artificial intelligence revolution.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Trouva
Alex Loizou is the Co-Founder and CEO of Trouva, the curated marketplace for unique, hard-to-find products from the best independent boutiques around the world. Trouva is one of the fastest growing businesses in Europe (Top 40, FT 1,000 2020) and ranked the most exciting startup in the UK in 2020 (ranked no.1 Startups 100 Index 2020). A computer scientist turned entrepreneur, Trouva co-founder Alex Loizou was a member of the inaugural Entrepreneur First cohort and was included in the US & European Forbes "30 Under 30" list. Along with his Trouva co-founders, Alex was also selected for the Sunday Times' Maserati 100 list in 2018, as well as featuring on Retail Week's prestigious Retail 100 2019. In 2019, Alex was also selected for the illustrious class of European Young Leaders, a prestigious programme bringing together leadership talent from a variety of fields who are committed to making Europe a global champion for a better world.
Alison has headed up Pennies since day one. Alison also holds Non-Executive Director positions at Yorkshire Building Society, Liverpool Victoria and DFS plc, and once held the Guinness World Record for the longest stretching of a Curly Wurly.
Andy is the Chief Executive Officer of Adnams. Andy joined Adnams in 1994, and joined the Board in 2000 as Sales and Marketing Director becoming Managing Director in 2006 and Chief Executive in 2010. He has a DBA from Cranfield University and Honorary doctorates; in Business, Science and Civil Law. He was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours 2013 and between 2014 to 2016 was HRH The Prince of Wales' Ambassador for Responsible business in the East of England. In 2010 Andy founded and was Chairman of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership. He is Non-Executive Chairman of SGWM a wealth management company operating throughout East Anglia and a Non-Executive Director of The Hotel Folk and Roys (Wroxham) Ltd. Andy is a Governor of Norwich School, a Board Member to the VisitEngland Advisory Board and is Chairman of Visit East of England.
Angela has had a long career in consumer facing businesses. Her last executive role was as Chief Executive of N Brown plc, which she left in October 2018. Prior to this she was CEO of The Original Factory Shop Limited and previously held senior executive positions at Debenhams PLC, ASDA Group Limited, The Mars Corporation, Coca Cola and Cadbury Schweppes. She now has a portfolio of Non-Executive Directorships - ScS Group plc, Portmerrion Group, The Hiring Hub Holdings Limited and New Look Retail Holdings Limited.
Ann Tomsett - Chief Commercial Officer
Ann is a corporate lawyer and prior to joining Pennies, she was Group Legal Director of FTSE financial services company Kensington Group plc. Along with Peter Nugent and Alison Hutchinson, Ann was there for the genesis of the Pennies movement, back in 2008.
Job Titles:
- Group CFO, the Very Group
- Very Group As Chief Financial Officer
Ben Fletcher joined The Very Group as Chief Financial Officer in January 2020 and leads the 150-strong finance team. He was previously UK and European president at Clarks Shoes and Managing Director of Boots Opticians. Prior to joining Clarks, Ben was at Walgreens Boots Alliance for six years. Between 1999 and 2011, Ben held several senior finance positions at Procter & Gamble worldwide before joining Boots and progressing to the role of Finance Director. Ben is a Trustee of the National Literacy Trust, a Non-Executive Director of the British Retail Consortium, and chairs the St John's Foundation in Bath.
Caroline has a part time role at Pennies as our Marketing Consultant, offering strategic advice and operational support regarding brand, digital and communications. Caroline, a senior marketing professional, also spends a lot of time chasing after her wayward Golden Retriever.
Job Titles:
- Founder, Transforming Lives
Catriona has enjoyed a career in Retail and is now the owner of an independent retailer, Running Bear. She's an ardent supporter of charities and the founder of her own charity, Transforming Lives. She also invests her time in supporting fledging businesses in different consumer markets. Catriona was formerly Chief Executive of Hobbycraft, the UK's leading retailer for arts and crafts, having also worked for the likes of Midland Bank, Mars Confectionery, Kraft Foods (now Mondelez), Asda and Pets at Home as Commercial Director.
Job Titles:
- Technical Implementation Manager
Chris is in charge of implementing Pennies with new retailers, managing projects from first contact to taking the first donations, using his many years of experience in the card payment and industry. Chris likes to travel with his camera and he cycles about a lot - he hopes to combine the two activities when he can sort out a decent tripod.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director - Local Pubs, Greene King
Clair has extensive operational and commercial leadership gained in large scale businesses. After graduating, Clair's early career was in retail with Boots in a variety of operational leadership roles. In 2003, she moved to Costa Coffee where she rose through a series of operational leadership roles in both the owned and franchised operation, culminating in the role of Chief Operating Officer for the UK where she was accountable for UK operations, property and business change across 1,100 stores. In 2016 she was appointed Managing Director for Costa in the Middle East and Asia, responsible for driving significant expansion and growth in the region. She renegotiated key franchise partnerships and launched both a new store proposition and digital loyalty schemes in market. Clair joined Greene King in 2020 as Managing Director for Local Pubs where she manages 632 pubs split into 4 separate operating brands.
Job Titles:
- CEO of Nando 's for the UK & Ireland
- Chief Executive Officer - UK & Ireland, Nando's
Colin Hill is the CEO of Nando's for the UK & Ireland, joining the business in 2019. Before joining the brand famous for its spicy flame-grilled chicken, he was Managing Director at All About Food, an FMCG company specialising in bringing favourite restaurant brands into the retail sector and prior to that extensive retail experience with Asda Walmart, Tesco, and J Sainsbury. Since joining Nando's, Colin has concentrated on evolving an already successful business , with a particular focus on technology and bringing about new and innovate ways to bring PERi-PERi to an ever more environmentally and flexitarian conscious generation of consumers.
Job Titles:
- Partnership Development Manager
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer of Pets at Home
- Managing Director, Pets at Home
David is Chief Operating Officer of Pets at Home, the UK's largest pet care business. Prior to joining Pets at Home, David has amassed a wealth of experience in senior roles, with blue-chip retailers such as Dixons Stores Group, Homebase and latterly Argos. At Argos, David was Chief Operating Officer and was part of the team that led Argos' successful digital transformation.
Job Titles:
- Head of Business Development - Retail
Dion works with retailers keen to join the Pennies movement, and is responsible for managing new and existing partnerships of all sizes across the retail sector. Prior to Pennies Dion held senior roles at the Post Office and Barclays, and in his spare time is keen on keeping fit - except at the weekends when the gym is swapped for running around the garden with his young sons.
Job Titles:
- Chief Commercial Officer, Currys
Ed joined Currys (previously named Dixons Carphone) in May 2020, having gained over twenty years of commercial experience in the retail industry from several leading household names like John Lewis, Tesco, and Kingfisher. At Dixons Carphone, Ed is responsible for Purchasing, Sourcing and Stock Control, Marketing, Services, Credit and our own mobile network, iD. Before joining Dixons Carphone, Ed was Group Strategy Director & Director of Ventures at the John Lewis Partnership where he launched a number of innovative, digital and customer-focussed propositions. He also held various other senior commercial leadership roles at John Lewis including that of Commercial Director on the JL Management Board and, before that, Buying Director of both the Fashion & Beauty and the Electricals & Home Technology trading divisions.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner at the MBS Group
- Partner, the MBS Group
Elliott is Managing Partner at The MBS Group, an executive search firm focusing on consumer facing industries. He specialises in NED, CEO, MD and senior functional roles across private and public companies globally. He started his career with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), before becoming CEO of a luxury cosmetics brand and CEO of a respected fashion label. He holds a first-class degree with honours in Geography from Brasenose College, Oxford, and an MBA from the University of Chicago. Elliott also currently serves as a trustee for a number of charities.
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant
- Office Manager
Gemma is our Office Manager and assistant to Alison, CEO of Pennies - alongside Rebekah. She supports the day to day running of each department and also helps with the organisation of Pennies events. Gemma has recently joined her local WI and is now on a quest to make the perfect Victoria sponge.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Executive Chairman, Telereal Trillium
Graham was appointed Executive Chairman of Telereal Trillium in April 2018. Prior to that hewas the Chief Executive of Telereal Trillium, when he led the joint venture which set up the company in 2001. Before joining Telereal, Graham was Chief Investment Officer of Talisman Global Asset Management, and a fund manager at Merrill Lynch Investment Management, also working for BT Group plc. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), the Association of Corporate Treasurers (AMCT) and the UK Society of Investment Professionals (ASIP).
From cash and cards to alternative payment solutions, Gregor has always been driven by innovation and the desire to discover the next big thing. Gregor has a career spanning more than 17 years in payments, beginning his career at NCR, before joining De La Rue in 2005. In 2014 Gregor joined Vocalink's Card Transaction Services business, and in 2017 he was appointed to the role of UK Managing Director, where under Gregor's leadership, the UK business has delivered on its commitments to customers and expanded beyond its core product and services.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive, British Retail Consortium
Helen leads the team and sets the strategic direction of the BRC. She joined in January 2013 and has been working with retailers for over 25 years. In 2016 she was awarded an OBE for Services to Retail. Helen is passionate about diversity and inclusion in retail; supporting more flexibility in jobs, particularly at senior levels; and supporting the Everywoman Retail Ambassadors Programme. She was previously the Chair of Working Chance, a charity helping women offenders find employment, and UK Head of Retail at KPMG.
Job Titles:
- Non - Executive Director, Portfolio
Helen is a Portfolio Non-Executive Director having left executive life and her role on the Board of the Caffè Nero Group in 2017. Prior to that she was Managing Director for Zizzi Restaurants but before moving into the Hospitality sector, Helen worked for Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and is credited with successfully launching the brand in the UK and Europe during her 15 years with the company. In 2011, she joined their Independent Board of Directors, based in Vermont USA. Helen is the SID at the Halfords Group plc, a NED at Premier Foods plc and Chair of the Remuneration Committee at both Fuller, Smith & Turner plc and Virgin Wines. She also Chairs the board of Toast Ale.
Job Titles:
- Global Head of Strategy and Market Development for Terminals, Solutions and Services, Ingenico
Ian Benn is Global Head of Strategy and Market Development for Terminals, Solutions and Services at Ingenico, a Worldline brand. Formerly COO of FIS in Europe, Middle East and Africa and previously CMO at Misys, Ian has spent his career in the join between financial services and technology. He is the author or "Strategic Outsourcing: exploiting the Skills of Third Parties" and, most recently, "Write to Win". In addition to being an advisor to the Pennies Foundation, he's also an advisor for tech start-up, Obsidian Solutions.
Non-Executive Chairman at Joules. Prior to this Ian was the CEO at DFS, Chairman at Sofology, and previously enjoyed a number of Buying and Marketing roles at Boots, culminating in his appointment to the Boots Executive 10 years ago, as Trading Director. In 2014 Ian became Chairman of the BRC Policy Board and Shoe Zone PLC.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director, TwentyTwenty Payments
A leader in the payments industry, Ian is currently Operations Director at Pollinate, a software business focused on payments and financial services. He joined from Optomany where he was Group CCO. Prior to Optomany, Ian was CEO of leading mPoS solution provider MiuraSystems and has also served as Chief Product Officer at Worldpay UK, where he was responsible for setting the strategy for propositions and marketing for all payment services. He is an expert in innovation within payments, including the latest developments in omnichannel solutions, contactless and emerging payments.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director for Payments and Innovation, UK Finance
Jana is an experienced executive with a particular focus on competition and regulatory policy, having worked across a number of public and private sectors in several markets. She influences payments regulation across the UK and Europe, leading discussions on strategic industry and regulatory policy initiatives and, has commercial credentials delivering and implementing these policies in practice. Jana is skilled at relationship building, holding several board positions and working with a number of charities.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer at Wilko
- Group Chief Executive Officer, Wilko
- Wilko As the Transformation Director
Jerome is the Chief Executive Officer at Wilko, having been appointed in February 2020. Jerome joined Wilko as the Transformation Director in 2018 transitioning to Managing Director of wilko.com before his tenure CEO. With 20+ years' experience in retail across Europe, US and Asia from strategy definition to implementation and full business transformation. Jerome previously held roles at Tesco and Morrisons and was a senior principal at the Boston Consulting Group.
Jo trained as a lawyer in the mid 90s and worked in the corporate department at Linklaters in London and Paris and then in-house at BT plc. Jo then moved with her family to the UAE where she lived for eight years and worked as a freelance journalist. When not working at Pennies, Jo can be found deep in the shrubbery indulging her love of gardening.
Jolanta is responsible for managing the company's accounts, including preparing, developing and analysing Pennies' key financial information. Outside working hours, Jolanta is studying to become a professional accountant and also enjoys cross country cycling (but only when it's not raining).
Jon, CIO for Compass Group, the world's largest catering company (FTSE20) is responsible for digital, data and technology change and operations across 5,000 operating units within the UK&I. Formally, he was at McDonald's where he held the roles of Senior Director, Global Technology Delivery, responsible for implementing digital solutions in over 6,500 restaurants in McDonald's International Lead Markets, and UK&I CIO responsible for the technology in over 1,400 restaurants. Prior to this, Jon spent four years as CIO at Gala Retail and Interactive and has over 20 years senior management experience in legal, media, financial services, government and consulting sectors.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director - Venues at the Rank Group
- Retail, Rank Group Plc
Jonathon is the current Managing Director - Venues at the Rank Group and joined in September 2019. Prior to this, roles include Fuller, Smith and Turner PLC, where he was Managing Director of its premium pub and hotel arm. Having joined the company in 2005, he was appointed as Operations Director for Fuller's Inns in 2007 and subsequently to the main Board in 2012. Jonathon has previously held positions at Carlton Communications PLC, Molson Coors and Bass Ltd. He graduated from The University of Leeds with a degree in Geography and holds a graduate master's degree in marketing. He is an alumnus of both IMD and Columbia Business Schools.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Senior Partner of the International Law Firm Simmons & Simmons
- Senior Partner, Simmons & Simmons
Julian is the Senior Partner of the international law firm Simmons & Simmons. He also advises leading financial institutions across a range of human resources issues, both contentious and non-contentious. Earlier in his career, he practised as a barrister for five years and worked as a teacher. He is also involved in a mentoring scheme for charity chief executives.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer, UKHospitality
Kate is CEO of UKHospitality, the powerful voice representing the broad hospitality sector, having previously worked as CEO and Strategic Affairs Director of the ALMR. In July 2019, Kate was appointed Chair of the Tourism Alliance, the membership organisation for the tourism industry. Kate is also Chair of Mayor of London's Night Time Commission, and a member of the Events Industry Board, London Food Board, Tourism Industry Council, Cultural Cities Enquiry, London & Partners Members Group and the Advisory Board for the Institute for Industrial Strategy.
Job Titles:
- Chief Customer Officer, Southern Water
Katy joined Southern Water as Chief Customer Officer in August 2021. Previously she was Chief Customer and Strategy Officer at FTSE 250 international passenger transport business, Go-Ahead. Katy's responsibilities included commercial development, customer experience, corporate affairs, innovation, strategy and sustainability. Prior to Go-Ahead, Katy held director-level roles in financial services and hospitality including at Kroll, VTB Bank and IG Group, leading change programmes in digital, retailing, reputation, commercial development and customer culture. Katy is the Non-Executive Director of England's largest housing and care provider Anchor Hanover and is an advisor to Zipabout, the digital transport messaging service. She is also a founding member of the Business in the Community Place initiative.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer - UK, Hello Fresh / Laurent
is the UK CEO of HelloFresh, a role he's been in since January 2019. HelloFresh is the leading UK mealkit company which was founded in 2011. Prior to joining HelloFresh, Laurent spent almost 10 years at BCG where he supported many grocery and DIY retailers across the globe. He also spent a year seconded to Save the Children International supporting projects within their programming countries.
Job Titles:
- CEO, JD Outdoor & Managing Director, Black 's Outdoor Retail Group
- Chief Executive of JD Outdoor
Lee is the Chief Executive of JD Outdoor, this is the Outdoor Division of the JD Sports Fashion PLC Group, it includes Iconic Brands like Blacks & Millets as well as the largest outdoor retailer in the UK, GO Outdoors. Lee is passionate about the outdoors, he is also a non-executive Director for the Midlands Air Ambulance Trading charity and the Outdoor Industry Association. Lee started his career in the family furniture business and has previously held senior positions in several Blue Chip retailers including Wickes, B&Q & Bensons Beds.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Director of the Global Accounts Team for Facebook
Leigh is the Director of the Global Accounts Team for Facebook, with a particular focus on EMEA based global business. Her role is to enable her global partners and their agencies to engage effectively with the platform, across geographies, audiences and devices, in pursuit of bringing the world closer together. Leigh is also active on the exec of WACL (Women in Communications London), and a non-exec director of the tech based marketing company McDonald Butler.
Job Titles:
- Chief International Operating Officer for Papa John 's International
- Partner, KPMG
Don has over 25 years of experience of advising clients in the retail sector, initially as an Audit Partner and National Head of Sector at BDO. His clients are, predominantly, private (family) or private equity owned and focused on managed growth to maximise shareholder value. Don joined KPMG in late 2014 and continues his focus on the retail sector with a view to building on the existing strength of the firm's retail franchise and leveraging existing experience and services that are currently employed effectively with other sectors.
Liz Williams is Chief International Operating Officer for Papa John's International and has been in the role since May 2022. She leads the strategic direction to drive store and sales growth across 48 countries. Liz has been with Papa Johns for 4 years serving as SVP for Major Markets (23 Markets) after 18 months as the Managing Director for the UK business. With more than 20 years of experience in the food industry, Liz has worked with both start-up and established restaurant brands throughout her successful career. Before joining Papa John's, Liz was a restaurant consultant focusing on brand development for casual dining brands. Liz‘s broad experience also includes spending six years as Director General Manager of Loch Fyne Restaurants after being the Managing Director of The Real Greek, along with 12 years at Pizza Hut UK.
Job Titles:
- Director of Payment, Natwest Group
Marion King has extensive experience across the financial services industry. She joined RBS in January 2015 from MasterCard where she was the President of the UK & Ireland markets. There she was responsible for growing the business and creating a world beyond cash through an innovative approach to everyday Payments, including emerging technologies such as contactless and mobile. Marion worked closely with both the European Council and the European Payments Council throughout her time at MasterCard. Prior to joining MasterCard, Marion was the CEO of VocaLink and held international and global leadership roles in Reuters.
Job Titles:
- Vice President for EMEA at Oracle Food
- Vice President, Oracle
Mark is the Vice President for EMEA at Oracle Food and Beverage. He has been with Oracle for 12 years and is member of the Global Leadership Team. As the Sales VP for EMEA, his job primarily entails running direct & indirect business across this region. Prior to Oracle Mark has carried out various roles across the industry and been involved in a number of M&A activities. Mark persistently challenges the status quo to ensure both the business and customers stay current.
Job Titles:
- Non - Executive Director, Portfolio
Matt has a long career as a Chief Customer Officer spanning retail, digital and technology. Matt spent over a decade working for Tesco where he was on the board and executive committee working across the group, and most recently the executive and board of the Co-Op group, where he spent four years, re-building and re-launching the brand, building new e-commerce offerings, new businesses, and modernising the core capabilities and relaunch membership. Matt was also the Chief Customer Officer of Saga. Prior this was the global CEO of a digital and data part of HAVAS and OMNICOM. He is currently the Non-Executive Chair of UNiDAYS, the global student reward and education platform with 19 million registered members. He is non-executive board advisor to Silverfleet capital, Advisor to Neurone health a bootstrapped start-up in the smart wellness market. He is non-executive director of Co-Op Insurance.
Job Titles:
- VP, Head of Northern Europe, Databricks
Michael brings more than 20+ years of IT experience in driving growth, building and developing teams, and nurturing some of Europe's top brands to truly innovate and deliver success for both their customers and employees. Michael joined Databricks in 2022 as VP, Head of Northern Europe. Previously he spent 10 years at Salesforce where he lead the Retail, Consumer Goods and Travel, Transport and Hospitality sales teams to land transformative and industry game-changing projects across Sales, Service, Operations and Marketing.
Job Titles:
- Digital Marketing Executive
Natalie is responsible for Pennies' end-to-end social media and digital channel process including strategy and content creation. Prior to joining Pennies, Natalie worked as a marketing professional across several industry sectors from technology to childrenswear. She is currently learning Danish and working her way up to tongue-twisters such as "Rødgrød med fløde" which, once perfected, will mean she has officially mastered the language.
Neil is responsible for designing, building and managing Pennies Back Office systems. Having worked previously at BBC Worldwide and UBS he has over twenty years' experience in IT but still struggles to operate his mobile phone.
Job Titles:
- Business Development and Product Director
Paul oversees the Business Development, Implementation and Product team at Pennies, as well as looking after our existing, new and prospective partners across the retail hospitality, travel and leisure sectors. He has been involved with charities for almost 50 years having run his first fundraising event when he was 10!
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer at PizzaExpress
Paula is the Chief Executive Officer at PizzaExpress, a British multinational restaurant group with over 470 restaurants across the United Kingdom and 100 overseas. Her previous roles include Managing Director of KFC in the UK & Ireland, parent company YUM! brands incl. one of the world's largest restaurant companies with over 50,000 restaurants in more than 145 countries. Paula lead the £1.5bn brand in the UK together with the c1000 restaurants, 35 Franchise Partners and 30,000 members that made up team KFC. Paula reported directly to the KFC Global CEO and was a member of the Global KFC Leadership Team. Paula has over 20 years in the experience of transforming Food & Drinks businesses by unlocking the power of brands- in both a left brained & right brained way- from Strategy, to Execution, from Brand Building to Spending Smartly. Paula has worked for some of the worlds most recognised & valued brands, at both global, regional and local levels within renowned companies like Diageo, GSK, innocent, Ernst & Young, before the last 10 years at KFC and most recently, PizzaExpress.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- CEO of the Private Investment Office at Sanlam UK
- CEO Private Investment Office, Sanlam UK
Penny is CEO of the Private Investment Office at Sanlam UK, a leading provider of high quality investment and financial planning services. Penny was formerly Head of Private Client Services at Close Brothers, and Managing Director in the Private Banking & Trust business at Rothschild. Previously she was Head of Business Development for Fleming Family and Partners. Penny is also a trustee of Prism the Gift Fund.
Job Titles:
- General Manager Enterprise for EMEA, Worldpay from FIS
In his role as General Manager Enterprise for EMEA, Pete is responsible for leading Worldpay from FIS' work with some of the world's largest and best known brands, enabling them to take reliable and secure payments in store and online, whilst also helping them grow by entering new markets and innovate to serve their customers in new ways. Pete joined Worldpay in 2011 and has deep knowledge of the global payments landscape, with over 20 years of commercial experience within the finance and payments industry, having also held senior roles at Lloyds Cardnet and Barclaycard. He is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse team, and is a valued coach and mentor in the industry, sitting on a number of Boards within the FIS group of companies.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Trustee
- Deputy Chairman, Coventry Building Society
Peter is currently Deputy Chair of the Coventry, the UK's second largest Building Society. He has been President of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), a Board Director of Investors In People (UK) and Chair of Monitise and truRating. His Executive career was spent almost entirely in Retail Banking and Payments. Peter was President & CEO of Visa Europe and prior to that was a Group Board Director of Lloyds TSB with responsibility for the Retail Bank.
Peter is one of the original brains behind the Pennies movement, and heads up the Finance and Operations team. Peter has previously held senior roles at Puzzler Media Ltd, Esso Petroleum Ireland and Arthur Young Ireland (now Ernst & Young). Peter is the (self-confessed) number one consumer of the biscuits in the Pennies office.
Job Titles:
- Business Development Executive and EA to the CEO
Rebekah supports the Business Development team with on-boarding new merchants and leading on Pennies event schedule. She also looks after our CEO for 2 days a week. When given the chance, Rebekah loves to travel and aims to visit at least three new cities a year.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer - UK, Ireland & Netherlands, SSP
Richard Lewis joined SSP in September 2019 from Greene King plc where he was Chief Operating Officer, leading 40,000 team members at the company's c. 1,700 pubs, restaurants and hotels. Prior to this, Richard held a number of different leadership positions at Greene King over the eight years at the company, including Group Property Director, and Group Integration Director, where he led the integration of the Greene King and the acquired Spirit business in 2017, as well as various MD roles within the business. Richard also has significant international experience, having worked for seven years in New Zealand and managed a Sourcing Office in China. Richard was COO of the Warehouse, New Zealand's largest non-food retail group, where he contributed to the modernisation and turnaround of the business and opened Australasia's first hypermarkets. Before that, he held a variety of operational and commercial roles at both Sainsbury's and Woolworths in the UK.
Job Titles:
- Head of PR & Communications
Rob leads on PR & Communications at Pennies, responsible for the strategic direction and delivery of all communications, PR and media relations, whilst also leading on the Pennies events and awards strategy too. Rob is a co-founder and ex trustee of CharityComms. In his spare time, Rob co-hosts a ‘synthwave' music radio show!
Job Titles:
- Digital Business Development Manager
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Chairman of Trustees / Managing Partner, Rothschild & Co Gestion and Head of Global Advisory, Rothschild & Co
- Managing Partner of Rothschild & Co Gestion
Robert Leitão is Managing Partner of Rothschild & Co Gestion, the top holding company of the Rothschild & Co Group, and Co-Chairman of the Rothschild & Co Group Executive Committee. He is also Head of Rothschild & Co's Global Advisory business, worldwide, and Chief Executive of NM Rothschild & Sons. Mr Leitão also serves as an Independent Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of the NYSE listed Manchester United plc; a Member of the Advisory Board of Lowy Family Partners, the private investment business and family office of the Lowy family; and a Member of the Advisory Board of the charity, Centre of Entrepreneurs.
Job Titles:
- Non - Executive Director at Accourt, Caxton FX, Valitor
A veteran of the payments Industry with over 40 years' experience Roger is now active as a serial NED and Advisor to a variety of businesses across the Payments Value Chain. Roger spent over 30 years at Barclays Bank initially in the IT department and subsequently in Barclaycard where he drove a significant amount of innovation including the introduction of pos terminals in the UK in the mid 1980s. Since leaving Barclaycard he was CEO of Switch Card Services (the UK's original Debit Card) and President/CEO of Elavon Merchant Services in Europe.
Job Titles:
- Brand & Marketing Manager
Rozi has over 13 years experience in the charity and retail sectors, and is responsible for the direction and development of the Pennies brand, both online and off, leading on all things marketing and social impact reporting too. When not designing Pennies' materials, Rozi can be found with her nose in a book or out in nature, walking, hiking and bird-watching (on the lookout for the ever-elusive smew).
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer, Pepco Group / Pepkor Europe
Sean joined the Group as Chief Operating Officer in 2017 after previously working for Pepkor SA. Sean has 17 years' experience within the retail sector and a further 10 years' experience in manufacturing, having held a number of general management roles within both sectors. Before joining the Group, Sean was Managing Director of Ackermans, a South African value retailer with 600 stores, and served on the board of directors of Pepkor SA. Sean also has significant experience in sourcing and has been responsible for the PGS business since 2015. Currently Sean is responsible for Poundland and Dealz business across the UK and Mainland Europe plus PGS.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer, Well Pharmacy
Seb joined Well as CEO in July 2019; Well, is the largest independently owned pharmacy in the UK and 3rd largest overall. Prior to Well, Seb worked for the world's largest diamond jewellery retailer, Signet Jewelers, as UK Managing Director before being promoted to President & Chief Customer Officer and relocating to the USA. Seb spent most of his early career with apparel retail conglomerate, Storehouse then more latterly with outdoor goods specialist Blacks Leisure Group as Commercial Director. While in the US, Seb was an active Board member of two charities, Jewelers for Children and Diamond Empowerment Fund, serving on their respective Executive Committees.
Job Titles:
- Head of Payments, NatWest Group
Simon has extensive experience in the Payments industry, with expertise in strategic change programmes, cash management sales, operations and product management. In his current role as Head of Payments for NatWest Group, Simon is responsible for setting the Group's Payments strategy including, Product and Scheme management, Operations and Innovation. Prior to this role Simon was Head of Design and Franchise Delivery leading teams to deliver transformational change to meet alternative State Aid remedies.
Sir Martyn's in-depth knowledge of, and standing in, the UK voluntary sector spans over 30 years, and combined with his respected career in journalism makes him the perfect Ambassador for Pennies, for which neutrality and transparency are core values.
"I am thrilled to be an Ambassador for Pennies. The digital charity box is a modern way to give that puts the power to donate in the hands of every individual, offering a private way to donate without giving any personal details. Pennies is a powerful new data-free fundraising tool charities and businesses should get behind."
Job Titles:
- CEO and Co - Founder of Freddie 's Flowers
Ted is the CEO and Co-Founder of Freddie's Flowers, Europe's leading subscription based D2C flower business. Established in 2014 Freddie's now has over 170k customers across the UK and Germany with plans for further international expansion underway. Before Freddie's Flowers, Ted was the FD and later the CEO of Abel & Cole and prior to this he spent 8 years working in private equity for 3i plc and CBPE. He started his working career as a graduate trainee with Unilever plc.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director, Toolstation
James is Managing Director of Toolstation, one of the largest multi-channel DIY and Trade retailers with over 600 branches across the UK, Benelux and France. He sits on the group leadership team of Travis Perkins PLC and is a passionate supporter of their Diversity and Inclusion networks. James has been in retail for over 24 years and has extensive international experience of multi-channel and digital expansions. He previously served on the board of Screwfix as Commercial & Digital Director and held a number of senior positions in Kingfisher including General Manager - Kingfisher Asia and Trading Director at B&Q. Prior to Kingfisher he held a number of senior positions at Sainsbury's across operations, commercial and supply chain.
Job Titles:
- Chairman, the Racecourse Association & Director, British Horse Racing Authority
Wilf is Chair of the Racecourse Association and a Director of the British Horse Racing Authority. He was previously CEO of Carpetright plc before becoming Chair of the Group business, Nestware Holdings. Prior to that he was Chair of Fortuna Entertainment Group as well as being with the Gala Coral Group for fifteen years as Managing Director and a Non-Executive Director. He graduated in Law at the University of Leeds.